1890 Board of Indian Commissioners
"Report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs," pp. III-778. In U.S. House. 51st Congress, 2d Session. Report of the Secretary of the Interior, 1890 (H.Ex.Doc.1, Pt. 5, Vol.2). Washington: Government Printing Office, 1891. (Serial Set 2841)The Commissioner includes an appendix to his report that contains the rules for Indian schools that were sent to agents and superintendents, which includes curriculum, employee responsibilities, a list of approved textbooks, and various other instructions to be followed. (pp. CXLVI-CLXXI)

From: Report of E. Whittlesey, pp. 789-797

. . . NEZ PERCE AGENCY, IDAHO.

This reservation with an area of nearly 750,000 acres has an Indian population, according to the latest census, of 1,815. The lands are being allotted by Miss Fletcher, who has already made about 1,000 allotments, and hopes to complete the work this year. She has had much difficulty and hardship to encounter on account of conflicting claims and the roughness of the country to be explored and surveyed. At the time of my visit she was in Kamiah Valley, about 75 miles distant from the agency.

The agency buildings are poor and insufficient for the comfort of the employés. The office is in the house occupied by the agent and the farmer, and very untidy. The house is not too large for one family. Some of the buildings are too old and decayed to bear repairing. They are unsightly and should be condemned and destroyed. One exception is the mill, a very substantial structure, well fitted for sawing and grinding. It sadly needs a stone foundation under one end, where the earth has been washed out, so as to cause settling and throwing out of level the burr stones. I hope the agent may be ordered to make the necessary repairs at once to save a valuable mill.

The stores—small in amount—are good. One article is found fault with, namely, the wagon, because it is not furnished with a brake sufficient for the immense steep hills of Idaho. It should have what is known as the "California brake."

The agent, Mr. Robbins, reports that the troubles of the past few years are quieted. He seems to [be] a fairly good business man. The farmer is competent for all that he has to do, which is to take care of the agency stock, and raise some hay and oats to feed it. He does nothing so far as I could learn to instruct or aid the Indians in farming. Many of them could probably instruct him. Of the other employés, there is nothing special to say.

A very good school building 40 by 80 feet and three stories high stands near the agency empty. It seems a pity that it should not be used. It could be put in excellent condition to accommodate 75 or 80 scholars at small expense. Yet if the agent organizes a school there of the same grade as the one at Fort Lapwai, rivalry and trouble might result. I therefore suggest a primary school with Kindergarten features in that building for the youngest children, say from 6 to 10 years, with women only as superintendent, matron, and teachers.

At Fort Lapwai matters are not altogether happy. The buildings are plenty and fairly good. Dr. Gibson and his wife, the matron, are bright and full of energy. The industrial teacher, Mr. McConville, is excellent. His wife and Miss Randall appear well. But the school sadly needs a head. The superintendent, Mr. Harper, appears to me incompetent, with no ability to command; and of course there is no harmony in his corps of subordinates. Then the cook and laundryman are Chinese, and girls can not be put in the kitchen or laundry without danger.

A hospital is greatly needed and there is a good unoccupied building near the doctor's house which could be put in repair for $50. I recommend that it be done, as many of the children have scrofula and should be taken out of the dormitories till cured. The Indians are good farmers and report that their crops are good. . . .

From: Presbyterian Foreign Mission Board, Mission Among the Indians, pp. 829-833.

. . . THE NEZ PERCÉS

The work among the Nez Percés still remaining under the care of the board of foreign missions consists in the support and direction of 8 native ministers, 7 of whom are pastors of churches and 2 licentiates, and in the educational work of Miss S. L. McBeth at Mt. Idaho, assisted by a native helper, and that of Miss Kate McBeth at Lapwai. Miss S. L. McBeth has labored, as for many years past, in the education of young men for the ministry. Most of the native pastors connected with the mission have been under her instruction. During the year she has had 9 regular pupils, besides others who have received more or less instruction. Miss Kate McBeth has continued to devote her attention to the women and childre[n] at Lapwai. Her knowledge of the language has rendered her a useful sympathizer and helper in the Indian families.

Mr. Deffenbaugh, in speaking of the general outlook of the Indian work, calls attention to the fact that the winter has been one of unexampled difficulty and discouragement, owing not merely to the prevailing sickness, but also to the great depth of snow—forming for much of the time an effectual blockade. And yet, with conscientious effort on the part of the Indian preachers, the work has progressed. Mr. Deffenbaugh says: "Considering the fact that we are testing their ability to carry on church work when thrown upon their own resources, it would have been cause for gratitude had they merely held their ground for another year, but they have done more than that. The net increase of membership over last year is 29—this in spite of the deaths."